Market to Norwich First

Monday

Oct 7, 2013 at 6:30 AM

The American Planning Association has named Norwich as one of the top ten cities in the country. That’s nice. But what does it mean? 40 years ago some well-meaning citizens placed an inventory of the downtown buildings on record. More recently we, the voters approved a bond. Now we are being rewarded with a nice title. But what does it mean?

By itself this new award means little. But if it were combined to be displayed with some reminders of some past awards there is a chance that it could be – useful.

I would like to see the marketers of Norwich make a list of the prestigious titles and awards Norwich has been awarded in the past 30 years. Then I would like them to choose the top 15 and create a display or a billboard that reminds visitors and residents of these honors. A visual reminder of the good things about Norwich.

I would like to see a series of well written articles about how these various awards are individual pieces that lend support to one another creating a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts.

We as residents need reminders because we have lost focus of the good bits. Speaking for myself I am inundated with all that is wrong with Norwich, all that makes me sad, and unhappy and angry. I have not seen one article, one advertisement, one commercial that demonstrates the positives of our community.

It is time that we see that. That we, the residents, be reminded of what is right with Norwich. Reminded of what we have to be proud of. The successful marketing of Norwich is not what we do on the outside but the successful marketing of Norwich will begin on the inside. The successful marketing of Norwich must begin with us.

The American Planning Association has named Norwich as one of the top ten cities in the country. That’s nice. But what does it mean? 40 years ago some well-meaning citizens placed an inventory of the downtown buildings on record. More recently we, the voters approved a bond. Now we are being rewarded with a nice title. But what does it mean?
By itself this new award means little. But if it were combined to be displayed with some reminders of some past awards there is a chance that it could be – useful.
I would like to see the marketers of Norwich make a list of the prestigious titles and awards Norwich has been awarded in the past 30 years. Then I would like them to choose the top 15 and create a display or a billboard that reminds visitors and residents of these honors. A visual reminder of the good things about Norwich.
I would like to see a series of well written articles about how these various awards are individual pieces that lend support to one another creating a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts.
We as residents need reminders because we have lost focus of the good bits. Speaking for myself I am inundated with all that is wrong with Norwich, all that makes me sad, and unhappy and angry. I have not seen one article, one advertisement, one commercial that demonstrates the positives of our community.
It is time that we see that. That we, the residents, be reminded of what is right with Norwich. Reminded of what we have to be proud of. The successful marketing of Norwich is not what we do on the outside but the successful marketing of Norwich will begin on the inside. The successful marketing of Norwich must begin with us.